Need to Know: A look at Hibs’ threats

Cédric Kipré joins Wigan Athletic

Scene setter: ‘Well travel to Easter Road

Main says team have winning confidence

Robinson: ‘It’s just one game’

Stephen Robinson insists his side won’t be too disheartened after suffering a 3-0 defeat at Easter Road.

The Northern Irishman believes that, despite the scoreline, there were positives to take from the league opener against Hibernian.

“It’s one game,” he said. “One game against a team expected to be right up there this season. We can take positives out of it but there’s also plenty of things to work on.

“I don’t look for excuses and I know we’ll take the positives from today’s game, but it’s never easy coming to Easter Road, especially with only two fit defenders able to start the game.

First team

Motherwell suffer defeat in season opener

Sunday 05 August 2018

Motherwell started their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign with a resounding 3-0 defeat away at Hibernian.

Stevie Mallan, Oli Shaw and Martin Boyle grabbed the goals as the capital club confidently picked up their first three points.

Stephen Robinson made three changes from the side that started the comeback Betfred Cup win at Clyde. Liam Donnelly, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and Liam Grimshaw came into the team, replacing Elliott Frear, the suspended Allan Campbell and the departed Cédric Kipré.

A slow start to the first half saw Hibs troubling down the flanks and Motherwell looking to take an opportunity on the counter, but creative play was lacking for the most part.

When the chance was finally presented to the hosts, they capitalised on it.

Peter Hartley was adjudged to have handled a shot fired at his hands on the edge of the area, giving Mallan the chance to shoot from 20 yards.

Curving the ball around the right of the wall, his placed effort found the bottom corner of the net to put Hibs in front with 29 minutes on the clock.

The game continue to ebb and flow before Hibs grabbed their second as the interval approached. Shaw nipped round the back to get on the end of McGinn’s pass, and he prodded past Carson at the post to double the advantage.

Yet it was the Steelmen who would have the final chance of the first half. Cadden worked himself space on the right and flashed an effort across goal, but the outstretched Bogdan steered the ball out of the path of the onrushing Main.

The visitors rang the changes at the interval as they sought a way back into the match. Bigirimana and Frear replaced Grimshaw and Taylor-Sinclair, as Robinson changed his side’s shape to try and get a foothold in the game.

Hibs started the second period with the same intent, and they would put the game out of sight just six minutes after the restart.

Boyle had time and space to drive at Hartley outside the area and, with the defender backing off, picked his spot to rattle the ball past Carson.

The hosts introduced international players Slivka and Maclaren as the game wore on, with Motherwell prevented in the main from carving out real scoring chances.

Substitute Danny Johnson was to be handed a glorious one with 17 minutes remaining. Latching onto a loose ball he bore down on goalkeeper Bogdan and placed it past him, but the ball bounced off the post.

With the ball arriving back at Johnson he again beat Bogdan as he twisted back inside and went for goal, but he was denied again by the lunging Ambrose.

The summer signing continued to cause trouble. Minutes later he worked himself room to shoot on the edge of the area, but dragged his shot past the right post. Then again soon after he burst into the box but could only poke his effort into the chest of Bogdan as Hibs tired.

It would be Johnson who would eventually get the ball in the net for Motherwell. Persevering as the ball bounced about in the box, he lashed the ball home at the third attempt but was adjudged to have fouled in the buildup.

Club

Get a free replacement on Kipré printed tops

Saturday 04 August 2018

Following the departure of Cédric Kipré to Wigan Athletic, we are offering supporters who have had his name and number printed on their new 2018/19 replica kits a free replacement top and printing.

What’s more, we will also get Cédric to autograph your old shirt and have it returned to you, as a thank you from both the club and the player.

So if you’ve purchased a 2018/19 Kipré jersey, either home or away, and would like to take up the offer, simply pop up to the ‘Well Shop when you can.

Purchases must have been made on or before Friday, 3 August 2018. Replacements are subject to availability.

Cédric will sign the jerseys on a visit to the club in the coming weeks and we will arrange a date for your old jersey to be collected.

“Staff at the ‘Well Shop always make a point of informing fans who are having printing added to the replica kits that whilst the transfer window remains open, there is a risk a player may move on,” chief executive Alan Burrows explained.

“Although it’s not something we will always be able to do, we think it’s only right to look after those who have already paid their cash so shortly before Cédric left for Wigan.

“Given the shirts have only just gone on sale in the last few weeks, particularly with our new claret and amber lettering, we think it’s important we offer this change and also a chance to get their old shirt signed.”

Parking at Easter Road

Please be aware that due to the Edinburgh Festival and the use of the Commonwealth Pool for the European Championships, travel time may be increased and parking may be more difficult. Please allow plenty of time to get to the stadium.

If you are travelling by coach, please note that parking will be on Regent Road.

Team news

Charles Dunne, Ryan Bowman and Craig Tanner are on the sidelines, while Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire are suspended for the visitors.

Need to Know: A look at Hibs’ threats

Hibernian are the first opponents for Motherwell in the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership.

Neil Lennon’s men lie in wait at Easter Road with both teams having played four competitive games already in cup and European action this campaign.

Making refinements

Neil Lennon has spent the summer making tweaks to his settled squad. The departures of Scott Allan and Dylan McGeouch had the potential to have an impact, but the recruitment of Stevie Mallan has gone some way towards reducing that deficit.

Florian Kamberi, having netted nine goals in 14 appearances on loan from Grasshoppers, was signed on a permanent basis and has continued his form, scoring four in four in the Europa League qualifiers so far.

Adam Bogdan has also been brought in from Liverpool to add options in the goalkeeping position and has established himself as number one in the matches so far.

Hibs in scoring form

Four games, 16 goals. That’s Hibernian’s record so far in the 2018/19 campaign season. Having scored 12 over two games against NSI Runavik in the first qualifying round of the Europa League, they then grabbed another three at home to Asteras Tripolis. Things calmed down in their most recent game, when they drew 1-1 away in Greece.

Home comforts

Easter Road has become something of a fortress for the Hibees of late.

Of their last 15 competitive games on home turf, they have won 11, drawn three and lost just once. In that time, they’ve netted 38 and conceded 20.

First team

Cédric Kipré joins Wigan Athletic

Friday 03 August 2018

Defender Cédric Kipré has left the club to join English Championship side Wigan Atheltic.

The 21-year-old Parisian joined ‘Well in the summer of 2017 from Leicester City and made an immediate impression, following a string of impressive performances.

The youngster, who also played for Paris Saint-Germain, became a fan favourite and broke into the Ivory Coast international side, playing for their Under 23s in a 5-0 win against Togo.

He finished his rookie season having featured 49 times in claret and amber, playing more domestic minutes than any player in Scotland last term. He added a further three appearances in the Betfred Cup this season.

Kipré joins the Latics for a significant fee, with the club also potentially earning more should the player excel at the DW Stadium. He has signed a three-year contract with the club.

“Although it’s with a heavy heart that we lose Cédric, his progress over the last year has been remarkable and it’s little wonder English Championship clubs have been circling,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

“He has the potential to go all the way to the top in my opinion and we very much wish him well in his future career. He will always be welcome back at Fir Park.

“We have been working on a potential replacement and hope to have something completed on that front as soon as possible.”

The 6ft 3in defender is not the first Motherwell player to head south for Wigan, with Lee McCulloch and Stevie McMillan following a similar path almost 20 years ago.

Kipré himself added: “I would like to thank everyone at Motherwell, especially the manager and the fans, for everything they have done for me.

“I loved it at the club and it was hard to leave, but this is a really big move for my family and I and we are excited by the challenge.

“Motherwell will always have a special place in my heart though and I will be cheering the team on wherever I am.”

Chief executive Alan Burrows said: “The model we have at the club is built and based around the development and trade of players, everyone gets that.

“That said, you always have mixed emotions at these times. Whilst you are happy for the player and share in the sense of pride at seeing someone develop and move up the ladder, it’s a wrench to see such a talented player leave for the last time.

“However, when the full balance of the fee is paid, it will go down as one of the most lucrative in Motherwell’s history, with the potential to be the most depending on how Cédric performs at Wigan.

“We believe that represents good business and we will be working with Stephen Robinson to try and find a replacement.”

Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to thank Cédric for his contribution whilst at Fir Park and wish him every success in his future career.

First team

Scene setter: ‘Well travel to Easter Road

Friday 03 August 2018

The Ladbrokes Premiership kicks off for Motherwell on Sunday as we travel to take on Hibernian at Easter Road.

Stephen Robinson’s men head into the match looking to start the campaign on a high, after their Betfred Cup group stage campaign ended successfully.

Unbeaten

Of those four competitive games played so far this season, the Steelmen are unbeaten. Three wins and a draw got the team through to the knockout stages, where they will travel to face Livingston.

A 5-0 win over Edinburgh City was followed by a 1-1 draw at Stranraer, a 2-0 victory over Queen of the South and a comeback 3-1 win at Clyde.

Hibs in Europe

Neil Lennon’s side, meanwhile, have also been in competitive action already, playing four games in the Europa League qualifiers.

In those matches, Hibs have managed to net 16 times, conceding eight. A 6-1 home win over NSI Runavik was followed by a 6-4 win away to the Faroe Islands side.

Greek side Asteras Tripolis followed, with the team coming from 2-0 down at home to win 3-2 and then draw 1-1 away to progress.

Past encounters

Motherwell made two trips to Leith last campaign, taking a point from their opening encounter and narrowly losing the second.

An early-season visit to Easter Road saw the Steelmen go 2-0 down to goals from Anthony Stokes. But the visitors rallied, with Louis Moult bagging a double to take home a point.

An even contest on the second trip in January saw Motherwell go 2-0 down again. Curtis Main got one back late on and the prospect of another comeback draw was on the cards, but the hosts held firm.

Absences to contend with

Charles Dunne, Craig Tanner and Ryan Bowman are all on the sidelines through injury, while Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire are suspended for the trip to Easter Road.

First team

Main says team have winning confidence

Thursday 02 August 2018

Curtis Main believes Motherwell’s unbeaten start to the season will boost confidence going into the opening Ladbrokes Premiership game.

The Steelmen travel to Easter Road on Sunday for the curtain raiser and the striker says having a winning habit will stand the team in good stead.